Tuesday, August 12, 2025

The Truth About Righteousness by Faith: Why the SDA 1888 Message Isn’t the Reformation Gospel



Introduction: Same Phrase, Different Gospel?

Many Seventh-day Adventists speak highly of the "1888 Righteousness by Faith" message, often calling it a “revival of the gospel” within their ranks. At face value, it may seem to echo the great Reformation cry: sola fide — justification by faith alone. But a closer look reveals that the 1888 message, as interpreted and promoted by SDA theologians, subtly yet seriously departs from the biblical gospel championed by Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin.

In this blog post, we’ll examine:

  • What the 1888 message is and its SDA historical background

  • How it differs from the true biblical doctrine of righteousness by faith

  • Its hidden path to legalism

  • What the Bible really teaches

  • How to avoid the trap


1. A Quick History of the 1888 Message

In 1888, two young SDA preachers — Ellet J. Waggoner and Alonzo T. Jones — presented a message on righteousness by faith at the Minneapolis General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. They emphasized justification by faith and the role of Christ's righteousness, seemingly pushing against the denomination’s heavy legalism at the time.

Ellen G. White strongly endorsed their message, saying it was “most precious” and a “beginning” of light. However, the church leadership, particularly General Conference President G.I. Butler and others, resisted it, fearing it undermined the law, especially the Sabbath.

Since then, Adventists have remained divided:

  • Some see the 1888 message as the true gospel the world needs.

  • Others say it was misunderstood and incomplete.

  • And many still debate what it actually means.


2. What the 1888 Message Taught

In its essence, the 1888 message taught that:

  • Justification is by faith, but…

  • It must result in sanctification and obedience to the Ten Commandments (including Sabbath).

  • Christ’s righteousness is imputed and imparted.

  • Obedience is part of the conditions to keep justification.

In short, it sounds like faith plus obedience.

That’s the problem.

While Waggoner and Jones used the language of the Reformation, they injected it with Old Covenant assumptions — keeping the law, Sabbath observance, and character perfectionism — essentially creating a hybrid gospel: grace-empowered law-keeping.


3. How It Differs from the Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformers (like Luther, Calvin, and Melanchthon) taught:

Justification is a legal declaration by God that the sinner is righteous, solely by faith, apart from works (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16).

They made a strong distinction between:

  • Justification — once-for-all declaration based on Christ’s righteousness imputed to us (2 Cor. 5:21).

  • Sanctification — the gradual work of the Spirit in the believer, never the basis of salvation.

SDA’s 1888 message blurred this line.

It teaches that if the believer does not continue to obey the law (especially the Sabbath), their justification is nullified. Thus, the believer must maintain their righteous status through obedience — which contradicts the gospel of sola fide.

“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” — Romans 4:4-5 (ESV)


4. Why the 1888 Message Leads to Legalism

While claiming to oppose legalism, the 1888 message actually reinforces it by:

  • Re-centering the Christian life on law-keeping rather than Christ’s finished work.

  • Making Sabbath observance a “litmus test” for justification.

  • Imposing fear and uncertainty about one’s salvation (because it depends on your obedience).

Many SDAs who embrace this message end up:

  • Struggling with assurance of salvation

  • Obsessing over perfection

  • Feeling guilt-driven rather than grace-driven

“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” — Galatians 5:4 (ESV)


5. Implications: Where the Two Gospels Lead

Aspect 1888 SDA Righteousness Reformation Gospel
Basis of Justification Faith + Obedience Faith Alone in Christ
Role of the Law Standard for Salvation Guide for Gratitude
Sabbath Observance Required for Salvation Optional under Christian liberty
Assurance of Salvation Conditional Secure in Christ
Jesus’ Righteousness Imputed + Imparted Imputed Alone
Source of Sanctification Christ & Law Holy Spirit by Grace

6. How to Avoid the 1888 Trap

Here are a few tips:

  • Study Romans and Galatians deeply — they are the antidote to law-based gospel confusion.
  • Keep justification and sanctification distinct — the former is done for you; the latter is done in you.
  • Beware of mixing law and gospel — it’s spiritual poison (Gal. 1:6-9).
  • Don’t treat Sabbath as a salvation test — Colossians 2:16-17 calls it a shadow, not substance.
  • Rest in Christ alone — He is your true Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9-10).


7. Warnings to Those Drawn to the 1888 Message

  • It sounds spiritual, but it denies grace.
Many fall into this thinking it’s a “higher gospel,” but it slowly replaces Christ with performance.

  • It’s divisive — even within SDA.
To this day, Adventists are split. Some say the 1888 message hasn't been fully accepted by the denomination; others say it went too far. Confusion still reigns.

  • It has no assurance.
Because your status before God is tied to your law-keeping, you’ll never know if you’re “saved enough.”


8. Conclusion: Return to the Real Gospel

The 1888 message of SDA history is not the recovery of the gospel — it is a half-reformation, a step toward truth that never left Sinai. It uses the vocabulary of grace while keeping people under the burden of the law.

The true gospel is simpler and more beautiful:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1

So let’s not settle for shadows.

Let’s rest in Christ — the Lord of the Sabbath, the Lamb of God, and the One who finished the work for us.


If you’re coming out of Adventism or wrestling with this topic, here’s a tip: Study the book of Galatians carefully, prayerfully, and repeatedly. It was written for this very issue.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). Don’t return to slavery — even if it wears the name “righteousness.”


Need more help understanding this? Reach out or leave a comment below. We’re here to help you walk in gospel freedom.

Former Adventists Philippines

“Freed by the Gospel. Firm in the Word.”

For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

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